Catholics offer ‘Soulful Prayers’ for Loved Ones on ‘All Souls Day’!

Catholics offer ‘Soulful Prayers’ for Loved Ones on ‘All Souls Day’!

Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world; In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you; In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you; In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctified you. May your rest be in peace, and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.

Mangaluru: Catholic families across Mangaluru parishes gathered last evening (1 Nov ) and also this morning (2 Nov) at area cemeteries to pay tribute to loved ones who have died. Catholic Church celebrations for All Saints’ Day fall on or around the actual day. The observance honours both official Saints and others who have lived good lives. Today is “All Souls’ Day when believers pray that souls in purgatory make it to Heaven. Though its origins lie with the Catholic Church, other Christian denominations mark the holiday by reading the names of congregation members who have died over the past year.

In the Mass that precedes the blessings, the pastoral staff will urge parishioners to pray not only for the good who have died but those who may not have lived a good life. Death is such a difficult thing for us to deal with. It seems like it robs us of life. (The celebration) helps people who suffer from the grief of loss to be reminded that death is not the end. There is hope for us beyond the grave. The most distinctive feature of the “All Saints’ Day” Mass is the nature of the prayer. The prayers talk about through Christ we have victory over death and hope beyond the grave.

Preceding ‘All Saints Day’ ( November 1), ‘All Souls Day’ observed on November 2 is a solemn feast in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all of those who have died and now are in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins and the temporal punishments for the mortal sins that they had confessed and atoning before entering fully into Heaven. The importance of ‘All Souls Day’ was made clear by Pope Benedict XV (1914-22), when he granted all priests the privilege of celebrating three Masses on All Souls Day: one, for the faithful departed; one for the priest’s intentions; and one for the intentions of the Holy Father. Only on a handful of other very important feast days are priests allowed to celebrate more than two Masses.

On All Souls Day, we not only remember the dead, but we apply our efforts, through prayer, almsgiving, and the Mass, to their release from Purgatory. There are two plenary indulgences attached to All Souls Day, one for visiting a church and another for visiting a cemetery. (The plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery can also be obtained every day from November 1-8, and, as a partial indulgence, on any day of the year.) While the actions are performed by the living, the merits of the indulgences are applicable only to the souls in Purgatory.

Tombs of the “Rodrigues Family Members” at Milagres Church cemetery: Juvana Rodrigues (1890-1972); Helen Rodrigues ( 1910-1993); Walter Rodrigues (1940-1989); Leena Rodrigues (1947-1979); Charles Rodrigues (1912-1974); Edward Rodrigues; Alphonso Rodrigues (1910-1966)

Praying for the dead is a Christian obligation. In the modern world, when many have come to doubt the Church’s teaching on Purgatory, the need for such prayers has only increased. The Church devotes the month of November to prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and participation in the Mass of ‘All Souls Day’ is a good way to begin the month. The Christian tradition dates back to the ancient practice in Rome, which honours all saints and martyrs who died for the faith. ‘All Souls’ Day’, the day after, is often when those wanting to avoid the crowds of All Saints’ Day visit the cemeteries to pay their respects.

Tombs of the “Fernandes Family Members” at Bejai Cemetery: Alfonsus Fernandes (23-1-1986); John Fernandes (6-6-1989); Vincent Fernandes (20-5-1986); Marcel Fernandes (8-7-2017); Monthi Fernandes (25-3-1946); Mary Magdelene (10-4-1924); Miss Dulcine Fernandes (29-1-1993)

Family members and close friends visited the cemeteries this past week, some to clean the tombs in preparation for the celebrations. Tombs at the Catholic church cemeteries were adorned with new silk flowers/fresh flowers, bouquet and candles. Last year on ASD I had met Susan who belongs to Bejai Parish, cleans the graves of her family members once every two months. She says “We honour the saints that are in heaven. We remember the dead and we pray for them. We also need to keep tombs of our beloved ones clean too. I feel sad when I see the dilapidated conditions of some of the tombs “. Susan was out at St Francis Xavier Church-Bejai Cemetery freshening up the flowers by the grave of her sister, Shanti. Susan said she remembers her sister every day, especially her “bubbly” personality. “Whenever you see her, she would laugh and always have something good to say. She wasn’t going to die, she was going to go on forever and ever,” Susan said.

Cecilia Pinto, aged 85 had come to Bejai Parish cemetery to pray for her mother, Catherine Pinto (Maggi)- born 13-2-1912 and died on 20-10-2016 at the age of 104 years; and also her dad, John Felix Pinto (Born 20-10-1908; Dead : 19-7-1986 at age 78)- and also other family members, namely Benjamin Pinto (76) and Mercine Pinto (60). Cecilia said, ” This is a very sad day when we remember our loved ones who had left us gone- my mother was very dear to me until her death- I took care of her during her last days when she was bedridden. I live alone now, with my pet dog who gives me company, since my three daughters are married- one is in Bengaluru, other two abroad- and I also have son who is in Mumbai. Even though I am alone here in Mangaluru, my children are always in contact and do care for me a lot. God has given me good health until now-hope I will live for few more years”. When asked whether she will live up to 104 like her mother, she smiled and said, ” I don’t think so. But if God wishes, I don’t mind living until 105? (ha..ha)

Audrey Pinto had come to pay respect to her parents, Jerome Pinto (expired on 6/9/1976, due to cancer) and Iris Pinto (expired on 26/6/99) said, ” Even though my parents had died many years ago, I still remember them, and they will always be in my heart. I come twice a year to visit their graves, once on their birthday, and another time on All Soul’s Day. I was very close to my parents, and they both loved me very dearly. Sadly missed”. Audrey is the sister of Dr Errol, Lyold, Oscar, Diony, Dr Allan and Trevor Pinto, residing near Hotel Woodlands…

Carol Pinto, wife of Santhosh (who died two years after they were married) said, ” I feel like dead, and at the same time, alive. He was my soul mate, and he left me his shadow behind- and sooner or later this shadow will follow him to join him again in Heaven. At the rising of the sun and at its going down, I will remember him. At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter, I will remember him. At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of Spring, I will remember him. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer, I will remember my beloved husband who left me so soon”.

At Lady of Pompei Church Urwa/Lady Hill, Veera D’souza and Sonal were offering their prayers to William D’souza ( Veera’s father-in-law, and Sonal’s grandpa; he was owner of the renowned firm-General Refrigeration near Bishop’s house-Kodialbail); and also to the other D’souza family members namely- Cecilia D’souza (62); Agnes D’souza (71); Mary D’souza (84); Maria Janet D’souza (41); Alstan D’souza (18); and Vijay M D’souza (51). Milagres Parish cemetery looked so clean and beautiful and was getting ready for the offering of prayers for the departed souls this evening (2Nov). Marilou Mathias along with her friend, Stevan D’souza had come to pray for her grandmother, Priscilla Mathias ( died at the age 90 plus); and her dad, Canute Mathias, died on 27-11-1992.

Charles and Severine D’souza who were offering prayers to their parents at Milagres said, ” When we close our eyes we see them; When we open our eyes we miss them. We keep ourselves busy with the things we do but every time we pause, We still think of our loved ones whom we miss a lot. Have you ever missed someone so much that even the thought of them made you burst into tears? We miss them a lot. A little too much, a little too often and a little more every day, to our dear loved ones”.

Divya D’souza speaking about her aunt, Sybil D’silva, aged 58 buried at Bejai cemetery who died on 16 October 2016 said, ” Sometimes, it’s not just about missing someone, it’s wondering if they’re missing you too. Missing someone is your heart’s way of reminding you that you love them. If you can’t get someone off of your mind; It’s because your mind always knows what your heart is thinking. It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. I miss our conversations; I miss how we used to talk every minute of every day and how I was about to everything that was on my mind. I miss my aunt Sybil a lot “.

In memory of all the departed souls who were very near and dear to their families, Team Mangalorean dedicates the following Hymn. May their Souls Rest In Peace! :